Space
“With drone operations the
glove enabled all of the science
and exploration tasks tested to
be successfully performed”
Glove (ASG), which is designed to control drones with the
use of simple gestures that can be performed by a person
easily from within inside a pressurized spacesuit. The
ASG is a joint research project between HMP, developers
of spacesuit systems Collins Aerospace and the company
behind the smart glove technology, Norway-based
startup Ntention.
The main objective of the ASG’s field test was to
show the feasibility of using a smart glove to control and
interface with robotic assets of relevance to future
human Moon and Mars exploration. Specific scenarios
were examined, such as operating an unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) for science and exploration tasks such as
searching, surveying, examining, sampling, fetching,
and inspection.
The UAV-handling qualities of the ASG were
assessed using standard flight test metrics such as
performing precision take-off and landings, flight
direction control in wind and situational awareness. The
results are helping to determine the requirements of the
use of smart gloves during human spaceflight and to
control EVAs (extra-vehicular activities) on the Moon
and Mars.
AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM // MARCH 2020 21
ANALOG TEST SITES
Limitations on the amount of time, money,
equipment and skilled staff that can be
devoted to experiments in space mean that
analog sites play a pivotal role in testing
and problem-solving activities for space
missions. Amongst other things, analog sites
like the HMP Research Station help space
agencies prepare for near-term and future
missions to asteroids, the Moon and Mars in
locations that are physically similar to harsh
space environments.
Active analog test sites include:
• Desert Research and Technology Studies
(Desert RATS), Black Point Lava Flow
in Arizona
• In-Situ Resource Utilization at Mauna Kea
in Hawaii
• Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and
Simulation, Mauna Loa in Hawaii
• Inflatable Lunar Habitat Analog Study,
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
• Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station,
Nunavut, Canada
• Mars Desert Research Station, San Rafael
Swell, Utah
3 // Astronaut Canyon,
Devon Island was
carved by glaciers and
resembles some of the
tributary canyons to Ius
Chasma on Mars
(Photo: HMP/Pascal
Lee)
Moina Tamuly, co-CEO and
co-founder of Ntention says, “The terrain
and harsh conditions present at Devon
Island were a key factor in our research.
When different challenges presented
themselves while testing in the field as
opposed to in a laboratory environment it
was quite enthralling.
“For example, compasses don’t work
that far north, which affects the drones’
navigation systems. Harsh weather also
demanded that the technology was
sufficiently durable,” he adds.
SPACESUIT INTEGRATION
The ASG test team used the HMP Analog
Spacesuit for its test program by
integrating the smart glove and a
wearable AR (augmented reality) display
into the spacesuit. “The field test of the
ASG was a first, and successfully
demonstrated the viability and promise of
the ASG concept,” says Lee. “In drone
/AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM